Fish

Camping with friends in the Lake District: Northern England

I specially took a half day off for camping last Friday. We decided to set off at 3ish so I dashed back from work and started packing: food, drink and of course camping equipment.

My husband said he needed a pillow. “I have to have shower gel,” I said to myself, munching on some crisps (no time for lunch!)



The weather was not looking good, and on Thursday night I rang the friends who we were going with. I explained that we might not come depending on the weather, because they were going to bring food for us, and I didn’t want them to take too much.

We checked the weather forecast every day, which was quite useless as it changed almost every hour. We hesitated: should we go or should we not? There was a little voice in my head fighting for my laziness and freedom, but we finally went.

We met our friends at the campsite, and enjoyed nice food during a heavy downpour and gusting winds.

I finally went to bed and slept at 2330 but got up at 0600 when the sky was bright but cloudy. Later on/After breakfast I went to Beatrix Potter’s house, which is now a museum: a very nice cosy cottage with gardens and a stable.

Unfortunately the weather went bad again just when we were exploring the cottage, and the heavy downpour wet me through. I quickly finished the visiting, jumped back into the car and drove to the campsite. A wet but pleasant weekend!

Pacific Asia (2)

Following my last post dated 24th July, after Hsinchu, we travelled to the south of Taiwan – Kaohsiung by High Speed Rail (HSR).

Usually, when travel between the north and the south of Taiwan, it takes 7 hours on the motorway otherwise the quickest way to get there is to fly. And now, due to the fact that the HSR has been completed, the pattern of travelling through Taiwan has significantly changed; there is a much greater volume of people going to Kaohsiung for both business and pleasure.

We stayed in a hotel which was situated in the landmark 85 Sky Tower at the centre of the Kaohsiung city's new business and shopping district; we were staggered at the height and the layout of the hotel, and the elevator brought us up the 39 floors in 35 seconds.

At night, in order to experience a local nightlife, we accepted an invitation of a friend to a club downtown. The entrance fee was about £6 pp and… drinks were inclusive, smoking allowed in the premises. Isn’t that heaven for holidaying or clubbing people?? However, they did check ID before we went in and only allowed the age of 21 or 21+ to enter.

One of the famous attractions of Taiwan is Hot Springs. Different locations gave different formations and water type so, it is recommended to try as many as possible when you travel up and down the country.

Most Hot Springs keep skin smooth; others may claim holistic treatments. You are able to ask for a private room or mucking in the public pool with other visitors of the same gender. Sitting in the hot springs pool between 10 and 15 minutes, and plunging into the completely cold water pool for a few seconds gives your skin a sudden temperature massage, and also powers up your heart beat (perhaps for the people who suffer from heart disease these treatments are not recommended). It’s good fun and washes the tiredness away after you have done the whole procedure.

I’d say, I really had a good time in Taiwan, it is a small country but it has got a bit of everything that travellers want and fancy.

Pacific Asia

I went to Pacific Asia in June this year. In this journey, I travelled to Hong Kong and Taiwan. I was surprised by the towering skycrapers climbing from the busy harbour up the steep, jungle clad hills of Hong Kong Island are an unforgettable sight; I also amazed the High Speed Rail (HSR) in Taiwan. Both were the highlights I visited this time and I enjoyed the journey completely.

I like Hong Kong; it is a very much Chinese culture where we don’t really see and happening in England. About Hong Kong, it is not a newly city to anyone, lots of sights seeing and foods just in front of you. The city life is even colourful, whether you would like to go on THE PEAK TRAM, STAR FERRY, or visiting VICTORIA HARBOUR, there is just so much to do and keeps you busy. It wasn’t the first time for me and my husband went but was the first time in 10 years. We noticed there were so different compared to our memories.

One day, from the guide book, we found a traditional Cantonese restaurant in Hong Kong Island, no waiting time but the fact was, we needed to find our own seats and shared a table with other 8 people. This old – style Cantonese restaurant on the corner of Aberdeen St, packed with older men reading newspapers, extended families and office groups, has decent dim sum served from trolleys. It’s a very local place, and you need to try harder before you sit down; it was like a battle which the fast you find seats and table, the quicker you will be fed. After a few days stopped in Hong Kong, we flew to Taiwan for the next adventure.

Taiwan is the most underrated tourist destination in Asia, is also an intensely traditional place, with Chinese and aboriginal festivals, and there are more surprised: such as six national parks, thanks to its volcanic past, numerous hot-spring resorts, sensational cuisine and fascinating cultural mix.

Hsinchu was the first city we stayed, it is about 86km south of Taipei (Capital City) and thirty minutes from Taoyuan (International Airport), is famous of the huge revenues generated by the Science Park (Technology Industry Park). It’s also the gateway to the heart of Taiwan’s Hakka country.

Who Is Calling.....................

My mobile rang while I was at work, someone named himself was from one of the insurance company and would like to give me a quote regarding my bike.


“ I am ringing on behalf of $%^&* company and would like to give you a quote”

“ You what?”

“$%^&* company”

“Who are you, how did you get my number, and why you contact me for”


I honestly was surprised with his action and I hate the third parties contacting the personal mobile without any permission.


“……………” He hanged up in the end.

As you can see even you don’t give your consent away, people are always available to get your details out in some point. I wonder how many people are doing this every single day and how many people are the victims on a daily basis as well…, it is absolutely disregard action and annoying.

Stand-Up show

I went to a comedy stand-up show last night, and was hosted by * (cannot remember his name…) with other 3 guests, one of them was Tom Wrigglesworth (He won't be in a coma this time...) in the Yorkshire Playhouse.

It was the first time I visited the Yorkshire Playhouse and inside the theatre, there were plenty of rooms for my legs and has a good view when seated in the back row but, one thing annoyed me was… the drinks. There were too dear to buy drinks in the venue, just like anywhere else. I used to travel to London to see such live show which was in one of many bars, apart from paying gig ticket on the door, and also pay for the drink on the top of that (tuting...).

Talk about this comedian, I don’t know him well and in fact, I’ve not heard of him but he is funny and has a good structure when he gave his talk. One of the funniest stories was when he mentioned the announcement in the supermarket. It has a very unusual tone when an announcement is made in store, such as:


“Store manager code * 113, store manager code * 113”

“Store cleaner aisle * 6, store cleaner aisle * 6”


Mind you, there are always pronunciations going on especially within the announcements where * sign are, and imagine if we all talk like that in a daily life conversations…


“What do you want for tea *, what do you want for tea * ”

“I am having a wee * , I am having a wee * ”

How funny is that! It makes your life full of fun and comprehensives, and due to that point, I just couldn't stop to laugh at it.

Think Before You Act

News is shocking me recently which is about the web murder is given a life sentence.

Consequently when we communicate with people on the other ends on these so-called social networks, I wonder are people real behind the scenes. I am aware that the more “personal” information you’ve given away, the more dangerous you’ve put yourself into, and I think we’ve all learned from others’ experiences and keep the distances and be safe.

What do you prefer?

A friend is leaving for further career by end of this month. A few friends we both know are having a farewell do for her which we want to make the most of it in these last few weeks/weekends before she takes off. I was advised to contribute ideas and I am brainstorming as I am running out the time.

I take part for a few dos in the past months, and notice I should watch what I eat in order not to put weight on easily, I disregard having a full meal and suggesting to have afternoon tea instead, friends aren’t disagreed. I am also thinking of what are we having for this so-called afternoon tea, in fact I am not a creamy tea person, I am a black coffee person. I also have another idea of having cheese/chocolate fondue, despite fruit and bread, what else can go with these two, it seems lots of works behind the scenes and I am calling for helps now.